View Full Version : Life decision... what would you do??
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:22 PM
Since Im in the field of reproductive health and human genetics, there are certainly many interesting cases I have come across.
Case 1.
Huntington's disease (HD). A neuromascular disease (a genetic defect that is passed down from generation to generation) of which brain cells degenerate and cause involuntary movement of the muscle. In simple terms, a normal baby who carries this gene, will be born normal and onset of disease is age dependant, which could be around 35-60. The onset is insidious and inexorably progressive; no treatment is known.
Ppl with HD needs to be taken care of as they cant really do anything. They cant move unless directed. Intellectually, emotionally and physically they will languish. Its really as good as dead.
daBoss
07-01-2005, 06:26 PM
but they still get a good 35 years to live right? so what's the issue...
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:27 PM
Should you have a parent with HD, there will be 50% chance that you will get the disease. However, it may be that the defective genes may not fully express itself until a very late age, meaning u might even die even before the disease occurs...
So now, scientific advance has it that, you can undergo predictive test.
So, if you have a mother or a father with HD, would you
a) go for the test without thinking
b) go for the test for plannings of the future etc
c) not go for the test, knowing that it may not happen after all...
or... d), e) f)... up to your own reasoning..
DO ask for more questions if you're in doubt abt HD.. :) when the time is right, I'll tell u all the good news.. :)
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:29 PM
The issues are plenty!
Say, you want to get married, but just before that you need to know whether you have HD or not... so, family planning here is crucial as if you have HD, 50% chance your kid will get it too..
u may say having 35 years of life is good, but think of the outcome... u're gonna be a vegetable and your life is going to pass you by just like that.. ur body will deteriorate, u will languish intellectually, your family have to take care of you... .. !!
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:30 PM
note that there's no cure for this disease!
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:32 PM
and oh, another option, can kill yourself even before the disease emerges.
daBoss
07-01-2005, 06:32 PM
then i'd go for a test (if available) to see if my kids will get it... if they will, then i owe it to them not to bring them into the world...
if test is not accurate or not available, i would take the risk...
daBoss
07-01-2005, 06:32 PM
and oh, another option, can kill yourself even before the disease emerges.
hmm... i may consider this one if the disease is really as bad as you say...
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:34 PM
test is DEFINITELY correct one... no false positive one... cuz it sees the number of repeats you have in this particular gene, if its more than the baseline to get HD, 100% you will get the disease... only problem is when! It could be early, could be late.. so u dun really know what the future holds...
if u go for the test, say you have it.. wouldnt it create anxiety until you have the disease.. ??? which could be a good 20-30 years time..
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:36 PM
hmm... i may consider this one if the disease is really as bad as you say...
can... just recently there's a case... the couple had a baby, i mean the wife's pregnant laa. So this man's father has HD, so he went o test if he's got HD. True enuf he has HD. Because of that, he wants to test if his baby has HD, in case the baby has, they wanna abort it. True enuf, the baby has HD too!!
SO, the man cannot take the fact.. committed suicide. Still, mother carried on with the pregnancy...
daBoss
07-01-2005, 06:40 PM
...SO, the man cannot take the fact.. committed suicide. Still, mother carried on with the pregnancy...
wah... this man screwed up... if he commit suicide, who's going to take care of the kid? i'm sure he'll have a few more good years to live...
Sarah
07-01-2005, 06:43 PM
wah... this man screwed up... if he commit suicide, who's going to take care of the kid? i'm sure he'll have a few more good years to live...
exactly.. his life is really screwed man... well, the kid may be born normal you see... only problem is he will definitely get HD later in life... Question is, if he finds out that he has HD even before the mum gave birth to him, and he himself doeesnt want to live with HD, he can sue the mum for bringing him into the world.. u know??
Lava Gal
07-01-2005, 10:51 PM
exactly.. his life is really screwed man... well, the kid may be born normal you see... only problem is he will definitely get HD later in life... Question is, if he finds out that he has HD even before the mum gave birth to him, and he himself doeesnt want to live with HD, he can sue the mum for bringing him into the world.. u know??
i believe, below 18yrs old...parents/guardians have rights 2 decide 4 the child...wat more an unborn foetus!
Sarah
07-04-2005, 05:26 PM
i believe, below 18yrs old...parents/guardians have rights 2 decide 4 the child...wat more an unborn foetus!
yeah, that's sad isnt it? Like, science and technology advances just to taste its on downfall...
Sarah
07-04-2005, 05:27 PM
in this health related field, sometimes, I am lost in differentiating what is really ethical and what's unethical!
Sarah
07-04-2005, 05:27 PM
Worst of all, i cant seem to take side on either one.
athena
07-04-2005, 05:30 PM
hmmm.this is a tough one, art dear....
but the person invovled gotta make a decision that he can live up to!
Sarah
07-04-2005, 05:34 PM
yeah it is tough... i initially wanted to be an embryologist, but then...
its unethical in the sense that embryologist have to chuck away the embryo surplus.. so... that's why I didnt take up that field... :(
athena
07-04-2005, 05:35 PM
this is the reason why i chose a profession where you don't deal with ppl direct...or living things :)
Sarah
07-04-2005, 05:54 PM
this is the reason why i chose a profession where you don't deal with ppl direct...or living things :)
hehe..yalor... :D
think the decision will very much depend on your whole belief and value system.
if you believe in the sanctity of life and the existence of an almighty, you would probably pray hard for a miracle and leave your 'fate' to him. you believe that you are accountable to the One for all your actions, even the taking of the life of an unborn or your own life, for that matter.
on the other hand, for existentialist, you will just do what you think is right and accept the consequence of your action. you are accountable to no one.
not an easy decision by any measure. i cannot pretend to understand what the person is going through, therefore i will not judge, whatever the person decides to do.
Sarah
07-04-2005, 06:00 PM
think the decision will very much depend on your whole belief and value system.
if you believe in the sanctity of life and the existence of an almighty, you would probably pray hard for a miracle and leave your 'fate' to him. you believe that all you are accountable to the One for all your actions, even the taking of the life of an unborn or your own life, for that matter.
on the other hand, for existentialist, you will just do what you think is right and accept the consequence of your action. you are accountable to no one.
not an easy decision by any measure. i cannot pretend to understand what the person is going through, therefore i will not judge, whatever the person decides to do.
that's wise buff... :)
vicky boy
07-04-2005, 06:36 PM
wow... this is solid........ . cannot digest....... :huh:
monay
07-04-2005, 06:38 PM
this is the reason why i chose a profession where you don't deal with ppl direct...or living things :)
u r smart... :) though i think studying plants would be interesting...just throw them away if they fall sick...
monay
07-04-2005, 06:45 PM
think the decision will very much depend on your whole belief and value system.
if you believe in the sanctity of life and the existence of an almighty, you would probably pray hard for a miracle and leave your 'fate' to him. you believe that you are accountable to the One for all your actions, even the taking of the life of an unborn or your own life, for that matter.
on the other hand, for existentialist, you will just do what you think is right and accept the consequence of your action. you are accountable to no one.
not an easy decision by any measure. i cannot pretend to understand what the person is going through, therefore i will not judge, whatever the person decides to do.
well said buff..
amelia7
07-05-2005, 10:25 PM
what about showing some compassion for them, huh? try reading roald dahl's The Sound Machine...
u r smart... :) though i think studying plants would be interesting...just throw them away if they fall sick...
monay
07-06-2005, 02:35 PM
what about showing some compassion for them, huh? try reading roald dahl's The Sound Machine...
compassion for plants? :huh:
amelia7
07-06-2005, 07:39 PM
According to the story...plants are supposed to 'feel' too.. :p
compassion for plants? :huh:
monay
07-07-2005, 12:06 AM
According to the story...plants are supposed to 'feel' too.. :p
i am not buying that thot.....too scary.
i am not buying that thot.....too scary.
how do u reckon a venus flytrap feels after chomping down its prey
lol
how do u reckon a venus flytrap feels after chomping down its prey
lol
Burp???
monay
07-07-2005, 06:22 AM
how do u reckon a venus flytrap feels after chomping down its prey
lol
good question, i never thot of that.... how bout aahhhH?
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